The Ocean League, part of the South Bay Athletic
Association (which also governs the Bay League and the new Pioneer League)
has been reconstituted this year from the former two-league arrangement into
three leagues. Which means that we now have an Ocean League which consists
of the following teams only for basketball:

What follows is a preview of the league which was
published in the
Daily Breeze
on November 27, 2002, written by Breeze sportswriter Bob Holtzman, who
regularly covers the teams and leagues in the South Bay, and who knows about as
much as anyone does about the teams and players in this league, at least for
purposes of doing a preseason overview. Sure, the info below is kind of
brief, but then this is merely a preseason profile of some of the league's top
players.... But it's certainly better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick,
and it doesn't hurt nearly as much.... We'll be following it up with more
information. In the meantime, the schedules have already been posted, and
are available if you're interested in following one team in particular.
The original of this preview can be found (at least until it's deleted by the
paper) at
the following link. We've archived it below for purely historical
purposes.

Most first-year coaches dream of an athletic,
talented and experienced roster. Reggie Morris, Leuzinger’s new boys
basketball coach, must be pinching himself. The first-year coach arguably has
as much talent as any team in the South Bay with 6-foot-7 senior Dorell Wright
and 6-8 senior Donnell Wright leading the way.
Dorell averaged 17 points and eight rebounds as a junior while Donnell
averaged 12 points and 14 rebounds. “We are big and extremely athletic,”
Morris said. “If the backcourt is able to produce, we should be pretty good.”
Besides the Wright duo, 6-3 senior Dametreas Doby and 6-9 Darrell Street are
both returning starters. Only Myron Terrell, a 5-9 senior guard, is a new
starter. “Terrell is an excellent ball handler and outside shooter,”
Morris said. “He’s also a great on-the-ball defender.” Morris, a first-year
head coach, graduated from Westchester High in 1996. He played at L.A.
Southwest and Howard University as well.

NORTH TORRANCE: The
Saxons returned to the playoffs under Coach Gary Duperron and now could
make a run at the league title after sliding down from the Bay League. Jarrod
Carroll leads the Saxons after averaging 8.9 points and 5.7 assists per game
as a sophomore. Senior Chris Yemenidjian is the other returning starter.
Duperron said his team is going to lack size, with it tallest players —
Derrick Zhang and Michael Johnson — only 6-3. Yemenidjian and Jeremy Bradford
are North’s tallest starters at 6-2. Senior forward Carl Clark and senior Sean
Carroll are both expected to start.

SOUTH TORRANCE: Coach
LaMont Henry expects his team to compete for the league title with three
returning starters. Kevin Ritchie , an All-Ocean League first-team selection
returns after averaging 14.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. So do Tyler
Graham, who averaged 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and three steals per game, and
All-Ocean League second teamer Scott Wilson (8.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg). Henry said
Sean Flynn should also be a top returner. Harris Sheikh, a 6-2 senior guard,
is one of the top newcomers.

MORNINGSIDE: Morningside
coach Carl Franklin returns for his 26th season. With just one returning
letterman, senior guard Michael Sanders (6-0, 165), he’ll have his work cut
out for him. Senior guard Ramona Tipado (6-3, 175) and junior guard Kevin
Hibbert (6-1, 150) lead the Monarchs. Junior forward Earl McCoud (6-5, 180)
will need to play well in the paint.

SANTA MONICA: Many expect
the Vikings to contend for the league crown. Point guard Khalif Parker and
all-league first-team selection Brett DeAngelis provide a strong backcourt.
Junior Paul Troupe also returns after earning second-team honors. Charles
Stokes , a 6-7 post player, should lead the frontcourt.